Many times we take the importance of toilets for granted. Nearly 20% of the world’s population has no access to proper toilets, but there is no denying that they significantly improve your quality of life and comfort.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate 13 interesting facts about one of our most important modern inventions:
- Arthur Giblin is believed to have invented the first flushable toilet.
- The first underground sewer in the city of Rome was laid by the Etruscans around 500 BC.
- The oldest toilet is still functioning about 4000 years after it was built. It can be seen in Knossos in Greece in a small castle.
- Did you know that you use up to 26 litres of water in every single flush?
- You may have to visit space if you want to see the most expensive toilet in the world. It is fitted in the International Space Station. It costs around 19 million dollars.
- The Scot Paper Company was the first to manufacture toilet paper on a roll, in 1890.
- The World Toilet Organization was founded on 19 November 2001 and on this day every year World Toilet Day is celebrated.
- Be cautious! Accidents do happen with toilets. King George II even died falling off one in 1760. And nearly 40,000 Americans are injured in toilets every year.
- No one can avoid the call of nature. We happen to visit toilets about 2500 times a year.
- In China, there are public toilets for dogs.
- Originally, ‘toilet’ means – “act of washing, dressing, and preparing oneself”. This is derived from French.
- Rigorous washing of hands with soap for about 15-20 seconds is recommended for killing harmful germs. However, only 5% of people wash their hands for 15 seconds or more.
- Some common words used for the loo are: powder room, lavatory, outhouse, ladies, convenience, washroom, men’s room, bathroom, dunny, bog, khazi, gents, garderobe, necessary, women’s room, restroom, potty, privy, the smallest room, cloakroom, latrine, place of easement, water closet (WC), john, can, little girls’ room, little boys’ room, throne room and facilities etc.
We certainly take our toilets for granted. It is important when your toilet acts up, that you receive expert service to help get them back up and running again.
At Milani Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning, we work each day with homeowners ensuring their toilets and home plumbing systems are always working. Whether you need maintenance or a new installation, count on Milani Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning to be there for you.
Contact us today about toilet repair or maintenance at your Greater Vancouver home.
*The Fact File,”34 Interesting Facts about Toilets”,accessed July 22,2019, https://thefactfile.org/toilets-facts/2/